The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is an energy assistance program that assists low-income Maryland families to pay their heating and other utility bills. The program makes monthly deposits to the recipient’s utility accounts on behalf of the recipients and may cover other emergency costs such as replacing broken furnaces.

This program is administered by the Department of Human Resources, through a network of local offices available (Maryland LIHEAP Local Offices).

To qualify for the program applicants must meet a set of eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are based on the income, residence and level of vulnerability of the applicants. Once you fulfill these basic eligibility requirements, you should go ahead and apply for participation in the program.

Applying for the program is a fairly easy process. All you need to do is to contact your nearest Maryland MEAP offices and book an appointment with a program representative. You should then download and fill an application form which you will submit to your local MEAP office on the day of the interview.

The Maryland LIHEAP program arranges home visits to interview the elderly and disabled. Once you have successfully completed the application process, you will start receiving the program benefits, which include:

• Assistance to pay current and pending heating bills

• Assistance to pay current and pending electric bills

• Help with implementing energy efficiency measures aimed at reducing future utility bills.

Eligibility Requirements

To b eligible for the Maryland HEAP program, applicants need to meet a specified set of eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are based on the income, residence and vulnerability of the applicants and are discussed below:

Maryland HEAP –Income Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Maryland HEAP program, applicants need to meet a specified set of income eligibility requirements. The income eligibility requirements are based on the household size and gross income before tax and are highlighted on this link (Maryland MEAP Income Guidelines). Special consideration is given to the elderly, disabled and households with children.

Maryland HEAP- Residential Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Maryland HEAP program, you must be a resident of the state of Maryland and a US national or a registered legal alien.

Participation in Other Social Service Programs

Applicants currently participating in other social service programs such as SNAP, SSI and TANF are automatically income eligible.

LIHEAP Application Instructions

Applying for the Maryland HEAP program is a fairly easy and convenient process. All you need to do is to contact your local energy assistance office available on this link (Maryland HEAP Local offices). By contacting your nearest MEAP local office, you will be able to arrange for an interview or receive an application form via mail. The Maryland HEAP arranges home visits for disabled and elderly individuals to enable them apply for the program.

You can also download an application form at the following link (Maryland HEAP Application form)

Upon successful completion of the process, you will start receiving the program benefits.